Unique Gap Years

Gap Year · 6 months · Multi-country + Nepal + Philippines + South Africa

Ultimate Three-Country Gap Year

Southern Africa, Nepal and the Philippines in one six-month journey of volunteering, trekking and wildlife.

El Nido in the Philippines, one of the countries on the Ultimate Three-Country itinerary
El Nido, Philippines
Duration6 Months
EnquiriesWhatsApp
RegionAfrica, Nepal & Philippines
Group sizeIndividual or small group
DifficultyVaries by departure

Half a year. Three continents.

Southern Africa, Nepal and the Philippines in one six-month journey of volunteering, trekking and wildlife.

  • Airport welcome and route briefing
  • Locally led activities throughout
  • Small group or private departure
  • 24/7 in-country support

The full itinerary

Your guide adapts each day to conditions, wildlife and how the group is going — the shape stays, the detail flexes.

Wildlife is free-ranging. Species and sightings vary with season and conditions, and no animal encounter is guaranteed.

  1. D1

    Months 1-2 · Zimbabwe, Zambia & South Africa

    Month 1-2: Southern Africa

    Begin in Southern Africa — volunteer teaching in Zimbabwe for four weeks, followed by a Victoria Falls, Chobe and Zambezi safari and Cape Town.

    • Zimbabwe volunteer teaching (4 weeks)
    • Victoria Falls — both sides
    • Chobe boat safari — elephant herds
    • Cape Town: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Winelands
    • Final week: Garden Route drive
    Overnight · Volunteer House then Safari Lodge then Cape Town
  2. D2

    Month 3 · Nepal

    Month 3: Nepal — Himalayan Trek

    Fly to Kathmandu. Eight days of Annapurna hidden villages trekking, followed by Chitwan jungle safari, Lumbini sacred pilgrimage, and a Pokhara lakeside week.

    • Annapurna hidden villages trek (8 days)
    • Chitwan jungle safari — rhino tracking
    • Lumbini — Buddha birthplace
    • Pokhara: Sarangkot sunrise, Phewa Lake kayak
    • Kathmandu: old city and artisan workshops
    Overnight · Teahouses and community lodges
  3. D3

    Month 4 · Philippines

    Month 4: Philippines — Island Adventure

    Fly to Manila and spend a month exploring the archipelago — Palawan's limestone lagoons, Cebu's whale sharks, Bohol's chocolate hills, and Siargao surfing.

    • El Nido island hopping — Secret Lagoon
    • Cebu: whale shark encounter and diving
    • Bohol: Chocolate Hills and tarsiers
    • Siargao: Cloud 9 surf and Sugba Lagoon
    • Community school visit in Cebu
    Overnight · Beach guesthouses and hostels
  4. D4

    Months 5-6 · Your choice

    Month 5-6: Deepen & Choose

    Two final months to deepen your experience in whichever region called to you most — extended volunteer placement, additional trekking, or a second country in a region. This is your gap year, designed around you.

    • Return to chosen region for extended experience
    • Extended volunteer placement (optional)
    • Additional treks or safaris
    • Community project deepening
    • Final debrief and portfolio documentation
    Overnight · Varies by choice
  5. D5

    End of Month 6 · Final destination

    Departure & Reflection

    Final coordinator debrief, achievement portfolio, and certificate of completion. A gap year that genuinely changed how you see the world.

    • Final debrief with coordinator
    • Achievement portfolio and certificate
    • Group video call with all three regional coordinators
    • Airport transfer and international departure
    Overnight · Departure

What is included

Check the lists alongside for this trip’s inclusions and exclusions. Message us for current booking details.

Included

  • All accommodation throughout
  • All meals
  • All inter-country and domestic transport
  • Volunteer placement in one destination
  • All safaris, treks, and tours included
  • Full coordinator support throughout
  • Pre-departure and mid-trip briefing packs

Not included

  • International flights between countries
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

Common questions

What exactly is included in the price?

Everything on the included list on this page — accommodation, meals as stated, all ground transport, permits and park fees, your guide team, and every activity in the itinerary. International flights, travel insurance, visas and personal spending are not included, and we never add them later.

How much is the deposit and when is the balance due?

Message us on WhatsApp for current booking and payment details. It holds your place and is fully refundable if you cancel 90 or more days before departure. The balance is due 8 weeks before you fly, in a single payment.

Can I travel solo, or do I need to bring people?

Most travellers book alone and join a small group. If you'd rather have the trip run privately for you or your friends, tell us in the enquiry and we'll price it — private departures usually work from two people.

What if I'm not fit enough?

Tell us honestly in your enquiry and we'll say honestly whether it's realistic. On trekking routes we'll often suggest a shorter itinerary rather than sell you one you won't enjoy. Nobody is talked into a trip here.

Are the dates fixed?

The itinerary length is fixed but start dates are flexible on almost every trip. Give us the window you're working with — term dates, exam finish, a flight you've already found — and we'll build around it.

Ask us directly

Ask about Ultimate Three-Country Gap Year

Chat with us about dates, availability, inclusions and booking details.

Your message includes this trip and its page link, so we know exactly which plan you mean.

Enquire on WhatsApp

If this one isn’t quite right

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One-horned rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park, one of the regions on the Nepal Complete itinerary
Chitwan National Park, Nepal

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Ultimate Three-Country Gap YearWhatsApp us